SGNews
01

Waymo plans Singapore driverless rides in 2028

  • Initial testing around Labrador and HarbourFront
  • Locally hired specialists to drive cars during preparation
  • Up to 90% salary support during driver transition training
Sources (4) STZBBHTM
  • ST Big Story — “Alphabet’s Waymo to offer driverless ride-share services in S’pore in 2028”
  • ZB News Front Page — “美业者Waymo进军本地　拟2028年推自驾车服务 (US operator Waymo enters Singapore, plans driverless services in 2028)”
  • BH Berita — “Waymo lancar khidmat tempah kenderaan autonomi di S’pura pada 2028 (Waymo to launch autonomous ride-booking services in Singapore in 2028)”
  • TM Local News — “சிங்கப்பூரில் ஓட்டுநர் இல்லாத கார் சேவையைத் தொடங்குகிறது ‘வேமோ’ (Waymo to launch driverless car services in Singapore)”
02

New institute targets AI skills for 150,000 officers

  • Basic proficiency goal by 2028
  • Mandatory annual cyber, data-protection and AI modules
  • Agency workshops for practical workplace problems
Sources (2) STZB
  • ST Big Story — “More than 150,000 public officers to receive AI and data training at new institute”
  • ZB News Front Page — “数码政府学院投入运作 培训公务员有效应用AI (Institute of Digital Government begins training public officers to use AI effectively)”
03

Japan lifts policy rate to 31-year high of 1.25%

  • 7-2 vote, with two members favouring no change
  • Persistent inflation and higher energy costs
  • Yen weaker despite the widely expected increase
Sources (3) STBTZB
  • ST Business — “Yen may stay weak even as BOJ raises rate to 31-year high: Analysts”
  • BT Upfront — “BOJ lifts interest rates to 31-year high”
  • ZB News Focus — “日本央行加息应对通胀 利率上调至31年来新高 (Bank of Japan raises interest rate to a 31-year high to tackle inflation)”
04

Tuas adds face scans to all 80 motorcycle lanes

  • Available to residents, pass holders and returning visitors
  • Manual clearance for first visits or changed passports
  • Passports still required for possible verification
Sources (3) STBHTM
  • ST Big Story — “Facial recognition begins for motorcyclists, pillion riders at Tuas Checkpoint”
  • BH Berita — “Pengecaman wajah percepat pemeriksaan motosikal di Pusat Pemeriksaan Tuas (Facial recognition speeds motorcycle clearance at Tuas Checkpoint)”
  • TM Local News — “துவாஸ் சாவடியில் மோட்டார் சைக்கிளோட்டிகளுக்குப் புதிய வசதி (New facility for motorcyclists at Tuas Checkpoint)”
05

North West widens aid eligibility from April 2027

  • Monthly per-person income ceiling rising to S$1,500
  • About 6,000 additional residents eligible
  • Newborn packs worth up to S$200 for district families
Sources (2) BHZB
  • BH Berita — “Lebih banyak isi rumah bakal raih manfaat daripada inisiatif CDC North West (More households to benefit from North West CDC initiatives)”
  • ZB Local News — “西北社理会未来三年四方面改善民生 (North West CDC will improve residents’ lives in four areas over the next three years)”
06

Indonesia receives first aircraft carrier

  • Former Italian vessel to become KRI Sriwijaya
  • 7.2 trillion rupiah allocated for modernisation
  • Helicopter and drone role planned for disaster response
Sources (3) STZBBH
  • ST Big Story — “Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier arrives in Jakarta”
  • ZB News Focus — “印尼首艘航母抵港　将执行灭林火抗灾等任务 (Indonesia’s first aircraft carrier arrives for missions including firefighting and disaster relief)”
  • BH Dunia — “Indonesia catat sejarah dengan ketibaan kapal induk pertama dari Italy (Indonesia marks first aircraft carrier’s arrival from Italy)”
07

Keppel plans Indonesia-Jurong solar power cable

  • Link to Keppel Merlimau Cogen power plant
  • Existing conditional licence for 300MW of imports
  • Detailed development and regulatory approvals pending
Sources (3) STBTTM
  • ST Singapore — “Keppel planning subsea cable to draw solar energy from Indonesia”
  • BT Companies — “Keppel to link Indonesia solar project with Jurong Island power plant, eyes data centre customers”
  • TM Local News — “‘கேஎம்சி’ ஆலை, இந்தோனீசிய சூரிய சக்தி பண்ணை இணைப்பு (Keppel Merlimau Cogen plant to link with Indonesian solar farm)”
08

Singapore plans at least 12m tonnes in carbon credits

  • Second purchasing round for 2030 and 2035 targets
  • Procurement documents reported by Zaobao
  • Eligible projects must deliver verifiable emissions reductions
Sources (1) ZB
  • ZB Local News — “我国拟购第二批碳信用 抵消至少1200万公吨排放 (Singapore plans second carbon-credit purchase to offset at least 12 million tonnes of emissions)”
09

New service to counsel workers facing unfair treatment

  • Launch in first quarter of 2027, open to women and men
  • Confidential emotional support and advice on options
  • Referrals to existing workplace-help agencies when needed
Sources (1) ZB
  • ZB Local News — “明年第一季推出新服务 遭歧视骚扰员工先辅导再决定怎做 (New service in early 2027 will counsel workers facing discrimination or harassment before they decide what to do)”
10

Indian advisers seek family-planning policy rethink

  • Annual births below 23m, against about 29m in 2001
  • Very low fertility in several states
  • Growing total population alongside fewer births
Sources (1) TM
  • TM India News — “இந்தியாவில் பிறப்பு விகிதம் சரிவு (Birth rates decline in India)”

Follow-ups

Najib Razak pardon and house arrest

Najib granted conditional house arrest in SRC case

  • RM50m fine must be paid
  • SRC term ends in August 2028
  • Separate 15-year 1MDB sentence remains
Sources (5) STBTZBBHTM
  • ST ST Front Page — “Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib allowed to serve rest of jail term at home”
  • BT Upfront — “Malaysia king permits ex-PM Najib Razak to serve remainder of term under house arrest”
  • ZB News Focus — “获有条件特赦　纳吉可居家服完刑期　 (Najib receives conditional pardon allowing remainder of sentence to be served at home)”
  • BH Malaysia — “Najib diberi pengampunan bersyarat, jalani baki hukuman di rumah (Najib receives conditional pardon and will serve remainder of sentence at home)”
  • TM Front Page — “முன்னாள் மலேசியப் பிரதமர் நஜிப்பிற்கு வீட்டுக் காவலில் இருக்க அனுமதி (Former Malaysian prime minister Najib permitted to serve under house arrest)”

Iran/Hormuz war and ceasefire

Trump weighs renewed large-scale strikes on Iran

  • Talks with six Gulf leaders planned for September 22
  • No timetable announced for a decision
  • At least 112,000 displaced by fighting in western Yemen
Sources (2) ZBBH
  • ZB News Focus — “特朗普称考虑军事攻击“歼灭”伊朗政权 (Trump says he is considering renewed military attacks to eliminate Iran’s government)”
  • BH Dunia — “Saudi, Houthi berbalas serangan; bekalan minyak dunia hadapi ancaman (Saudi Arabia and Houthis exchange attacks as world oil supplies face threats)”

AirAsia financial pressures

AirAsia defends liquidity amid aircraft-sale report

  • Fernandes cites more than RM1b in cash
  • Six new jets sold since early 2025, transaction data show
  • Rival-route takeover reports rejected by co-founder
Sources (4) STBTZBTM
  • ST Front Page Business — “AirAsia’s ‘strong liquidity’ can ride out surge in jet fuel costs: Fernandes”
  • BT Companies — “Cash-strapped AirAsia takes unusual step of unloading new planes”
  • ZB World News — “反驳陷困境传闻　亚航创办人：储备金足以应对油价冲击 (AirAsia founder rejects financial distress reports, says reserves can withstand oil-price shock)”
  • TM World News — “ஏர்ஏ‌ஷியா நெருக்கடி அவ்வளவு மோசமானதல்ல: டோனி ஃபெர்னாண்டஸ் (AirAsia’s difficulties are not as bad as during the pandemic, says Tony Fernandes)”

Australia migration and visa restrictions

Australia plans detention for tourist visa overstayers

  • 250 additional beds and 100 compliance officers
  • Government cites deterrence and visa compliance
  • Tourism and refugee groups raise objections
Sources (2) STZB
  • ST Front Page World News — “Australia to detain tourists who overstay visa, minister says”
  • ZB World News — “澳洲收紧签证政策 将拘留逾期逗留者 (Australia tightens visa policy and will detain overstayers)”

Transboundary haze 2026

Central Singapore's air returns to moderate range

  • 24-hour PSI of 97 at 7am on September 18
  • Other four regions moderate since September 16
  • Hourly fine-particle readings normal islandwide
Sources (1) TM
  • TM Local News — “சிங்கப்பூரின் மத்திய பகுதியில் காற்றுத்தரம் மேம்பட்டது (Air quality improves in central Singapore)”

Xi-Trump summit preparations

US reportedly delays tariffs until after Xi-Trump talks

  • Bloomberg cites people familiar with the matter
  • Previously expected 7.5% China levy not finalised
  • Current trade truce due to expire in November
Sources (2) BTZB
  • BT Upfront — “US said to hold off on tariffs until after Xi-Trump summit”
  • ZB World News — “美国产能过剩新关税 拟延至习特会后宣布 (US plans to defer new overcapacity tariffs until after Xi-Trump summit)”

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